ILKESTON Co-op raised discount levels on summer 2000 holidays to an unprecedented 35% as Travel Weekly went to press.
Ilkeston marketing director Fergus Brown defended the move and pointed out that the deals were being funded by operators.
“I will work with what I’m given by operators,” he said.
Multiples were expected to hold their discounts at 30%. Thomas Cook retail managing director Andrew Windsor said: “I’d be very surprised if we follow suit.”
Meanwhile, Airtours is continuing to outperform the market with summer 2000 sales down 6% compared to a market down 14%. Sources attribute the success to 30% discounts across almost its entire product. Thomson is down 16%, First Choice down 14% and JMC down 28%.